Washing and sizing apparatus



Feb. 11, 1941. JQCHRISTIAN WASHING AND SIZING APPARATUS 5 m w 4% i M w E m Filed May 20, 1959 1941- J. CHRISTIAN WASHING AND SIZING APPARATUS Filed May 20, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES WASHING AND SIZING APPARATUS Jack Christian, Sanford, Fla., assignor of onehalf to Lee M. Ransbottom, Sanford, Fla.

Application May 20, 1939, Serial No. 274,791

15 Claims.

This invention relates to mechanism for sizing or grading units of variable diameters and more particularly to a device for sizing celeryand other vegetables.

Various arrangements have heretofore been provided for sizing vegetables, fruits and other units of variable size to the end that units of a certain size may be automatically separated or segregated from units of different sizes. So far as it is at present known, however, no automatically operable devices have been provided for sizing celery.

It will be appreciated that the commercial value of this latter vegetable depends to a large extent upon its color and appearance including,

' larly adapted for accurately grading celery without scarring or bruising the same.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of an apparatus of the foregoing character which will be so arranged as to eject the individual bunches of celery from a conveyor without scarring or mutilating the stalks thereof.

A still further object is to provide a novel sizing mechanism for grading units of various sizes in combination with associated apparatus for ejecting the sized units.

Another object comprehends an arrangement for use in ejecting the graded units which is so constructed as to be especially useful in connection with celery and wherein the individual bunches are lifted from the conveyor and transported transversely thereof, to the end that sliding of the bunches along the conveyor and resultant scarring is avoided. Still another object is to provide an arrangement for automatically relieving the pressure of the sizing members on the units during delivery of units of proper size to the side of the conveyor.

Another object includes the provision of a plurality of novel sizing and. ejecting mechanisms spaced along the length of a conveyor carrying theunits to be graded and capable of ready adjustment to accommodate units of difierent sizes. A still further object includes the provision of a novel washing apparatus cooperating with the sizing mechanism, the apparatus being arranged to wash celery in a more efficient manner than washing devices heretofore known.

Still another object is to so arrange the washing apparatus that a portion of the water used for washing may be used for subsequent washing operations, thus conserving a material part of the water supply.

Further objects and features of novelty will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein one form of the invention is illustrated. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are employed for illustration only and are not to be taken as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a partial view in perspective of a combined washing and sizing mechanism constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view partly in section of the sizing apparatus at one station and illustrating the operation of a sizing member;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and illustrating the position of the parts adjacent the end of an ejecting operation;

Fig. 4 is a transverse view, partly in section, of the ejecting mechanism adjacent the end of an ejecting stroke;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the ejecting member;

Fig. 6 is a side view of the complete apparatus;

Fig. '7 is a top view of the apparatus of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a side view, partly in section, of the Washing apparatus;

Fig. 9 is a front view, partly in section, of the parts shown in Fig. 8, and 45 Fig. 10 is a partial side view of a modified form of sizing member.

A combined washing and sizing apparatus which may be especially adapted for use in connection with celery, although it is to be understood that the same may be used for other vegetables and/or fruits if desired, is illustrated in Fig. 1 as comprising a washing apparatus ID for delivering washed bunches of celery to a conveyor H, the latter including an endless belt [2 or other suitable type of conveying medium for moving the units longitudinally of the conveyor and past sizing and ejecting stations A, B and C. While three sizing and ejecting stations have been illustrated herein, it is to be understood that any number may be employed depending upon the number of different sizes or grades of material desired.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6, the conveyor II includes a suitable support such as a bed plate I3, preferably supported as by means of a'plurality of standards I4, I5, I5 and H, the end standards I 4 and I5 being adapted to support a roller I8. It will be understood that the support I3 may take any suitable form such as a plurality of spaced rollers, if desired. At the opposite end of the conveyor, an electric motor I9 or other suitable driving mechanism is mounted on an arm pivotally mounted as at 20 to a bracket 2I depending from the bed plate I3, such motor having its driving shaft operatively connected to a roller 22. The conveyor belt I2 is stretched between rollers I8 and 22 and is maintained in such condition by reason of an expansible spring 23, Fig. 6, which constantly urges the motor supporting arm in such a direction as to maintain tension in the belt.

The Washing apparatus I includes a suitable conveyor 24 one end of which, Figs. 1 and 6, is adapted to be driven by a roller 25 which latter is in turnv so mounted as to be drivably connected with roller I8 through a chain and sprocket connection 26. Preferably, the latter is so constructed that the conveyor 24 travels at a slower linear speed than the conveyor I 2, this construction being utilized for the purpose of enabling a longitudinal spacing of the units on conveyor I2 as they are delivered thereto from the conveyor 24. It will be readily understood from the foregoing that, after treatment of the .units in the washing apparatus ID, the said units are delivered to conveyor I2 which, by reason of the fact that it travels at a faster speed than that of conveyor 24, conveys the units past the sizing and ejecting stations in spaced longitudinal alignment= Each of the stations A,'B- and 0 includes a novel arrangement for properly sizing and ejecting units of certain sizes during movement of said units along the conveyor. Since the mechanism associated with'ea'ch of. the aforementioned stations is similarin character, one only will be described in detail. Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4, the station A, for example, includes a sizing member 21 so positioned that it overlies the conveyor and is adapted to be engaged by units of certain sizesv 'As shown, such sizing member includes a roller 28 rotatably mounted upon an arm 29, the said arm being formed integrally with an arm or lever 30, the free end 3i of which is rotatably mounted in an opening provided in an arm or bracket 32 secured to bed plate I3. The end 3| of the arm 30 is extended through the opening in arm 32 and adjustably mounted thereon is a controlling arm orlever 33, said last named arm being provided for a purpose which will appear'more fully here inafter. It is to be especially pointed out that the weights of the parts on opposite sides of the pivotal mounting between 3| and 32 are such that the sizing member 21 is maintained at a predetermined distance above the conveyor belt I;2 as determined by the adjustment between arms 35) and 33, the weight of member 21 holding the end of arm- 33 against'a stop 90 with a slight pressure. However, if it is desired to adjust sizing member 27 to a distance nearer to or further from the belt I2, it is only necessary to vary the relative position between arms 39 and 33 by the adjustment referred to above.

From the construction heretofore described, it-

the purpose of moving the unit transversely of the conveyor and delivering it to one side thereof.

As illustrated more particularly in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, a power actuator 34, including a double-acting piston and cylinder 35 and 36, is mounted beneath the conveyor on the bed plate I3 as by means of suitable brackets 31 and 38. The piston 36 is provided with a piston rod 39 extended through one end of the cylinder 35 and is rigidly connected as by means of an arm 40 to a member 4| carrying an ejector device 42. Preferably, the power actuator 34 is double-acting and is energized by fluid power, it being readily understood, however, that the power actuator may be energized by other forms of power, if desired. Normally, referring to Fig, 4, the piston 36 is maintained at the left-hand end of cylinder 35 in order to locate the ejector 42 in the normal dotted-line position, the arrangement being such, however, as will appear more fully hereinafter, that, upon movement of the piston 33 to the opposite end of the cylinder, the ejector 42 will be moved transversely of the conveyor in order to carry the unit to the side thereof for delivery into a suitable receptacle. During such movement of the ejector, the assembly comprising piston rod 39 and arm 40 is suitably guided for rectilinear movement by means of a guide 43 secured to bracket 37, a cylindrical bearing sleeve 44 carried by member 40 surrounding and moving on the guide 43.

Means are provided for controlling the energization of the power actuator 34, and, as heretofore stated, such means are so arranged as to be operated and controlled by movement of the sizing member 27. As shown, such control means comprise any suitable valve mechanism 45 for controlling the flow of fluid pressure to opposite ends of the cylinder 35. For the purpose of illustration, such valve mechanism includes a casing 46 housing a spool valve 41 provided with upper and lower heads 48 and 49 respectively. Each end of the valve casing 46 is open to atmosphere while the portion of the casing intermediate the ends is connected with a source of fluid pressure such as air by' means of a conduit 50. Outlet conduits and 52 connected with the valve casing 46 are respectively connected to opposite ends of the fluid actuator 34, see Fig. 1, and the arrangement is such that, with the valve mechanism biased to normal position, as by means of a spring 53, communication is established between inlet conduit 50 and outlet conduit 5|. Fluid under pressure is thereupon conducted to the right-hand end of actuator 34, Fig. 1, which serves to normally maintain the ejector 42 in normal retracted position. In this position of the parts, the conduit 52 is connected to atmosphere through the lower open end of casing 46, as will be clear from Fig. 6. Valve member 41 is provided at its lower portion with a slot 54 for receiving a link '55, the lower end of which is connected to the free end of an actuating lever 56pivoted at, 51 to a bracket 58. Thes'elastnamed connections are provided for enabling movement of the valve member 41 in opposition to the biasing spring 53 due to oscillating movement of the lever means 33, 30 in response to movement of the sizing member 21. .Aswill bereadily observed from Figs. 2 and 3, the free end of lever 33 is so formed as to engage the free end of lever 56, and, as the sizing member 21. is raisedupwardly, member33 is moved downwardly in order to actuate valve element 4'|.to the position shown in Fig. 2. With the parts occupying the latter position, it will be readily understood that conduit 5| is exhaustedto atmosphere through the open top of valve casing 45 while conduit 52 is supplied with fluid pressure in .order to cause movement of the piston 36 of the power actuator 34 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1. This action causes ejecting movement of the piston .36 to occur, and, as heretofore pointed out, the ejector 42 will be moved transversely of the conveyor to eject the unit which effected operation of the sizing member 21.

One very desirable feature of the present invention resides in the provision of means for relieving the pressure of the sizing member 21 upon the unit engaged thereby substantially simultaneously with energization of the power actuator for effecting removal of the unit from the conveyor. Such means comprises a device operated and movable with the piston of the power actuator and, as will be observed from Fig. 4, includes a cam mechanism 59 rigidly. connected with the ejector 42 and including an inclined cam 60 adapted to cooperate with an arm 5| carried by lever 30, see Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Thus, as the ejecting stroke of the piston 36 takes place and the ejector 42 starts to move transversely of the conveyor, inclined portion 60 of cam 59 engages the lower extremity of arm 6| in order to positively move arm 30, and the sizing member 2'! carried thereby, upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 1. This action positively moves the sizing member out of engagement with respect to the'unit and thus avoids any tendency of the unit to be bruised or scarred through engagement with the sizing member and sidewise movement of the unit, due to the action of the ejector. It will be further understood that the above movement of member 21 out of engagement with the unit takes place prior to contact between the ejector and the unit, since the ejectorhas a slight movement across the conveyor prior to engaging the unit to be ejected, the latter being located substantially in the middle of the conveyor.

A further novel feature of the invention resides in the automatic reversal of the power actuator when the latter reaches substantially the end of its ejecting stroke. Such means includes the provision of a cam portion 62, Figs. 1. to 4, carried by the end of member 59, and arranged to engage the lower end of arm 6| when the ejector 42 reaches the side of the conveyor and the unit carried thereby is in position to be deposited to the side thereof. Upon contact of the cam portion 62 with the arm 6|, as stated above, connected arms 35 and 33 are rotated in a counterclockwise manner about the pivotal mounting 3| to such an extent that thelouter end of arm 33 is moved below the free end of lever 56, see Fig. 3. Thereupon, the resilient biasing means 53 associated with the valve 41 promptly returns the latter to the normal position to engage a suitable stop mechanism 45a, as illustrated in Fig. 2,,and in Fig. 6 whereupon sections. .struction, the foregoing construction enables the celeryoto be unusually efficiently washed 'since conduit 521s exhausted to atmosphere and conduit 5| is again connected with the source of pressure. Since conduit 5| communicates with the right-hand end of actuator 34, as viewed in Fig. 1, the piston 36 of the latter will be promptly returned to neutral position, and, during such return movement, the sizing member 21 gradually assumes its normal position as the lower end of arm 6| rides down the cam portion 62, along the straight portion of member 59 and the inclined portion 60. Thus, the ejector 42 and sizing member 21 are returned to normal position for operation upon another unit conveyed by the conveyor.

While, as heretofore stated, the sizing and ejecting apparatus of the various stations are all similar, it is to be noted that, preferably, the ejecting members 63 and 64 associated with the sizing members 65 and 66 of respective stations B and C, Fig. 6, may be graduated in size in order to accommodate the smaller units cooperating therewith. On the other hand, all of the ejecting members may be of the same size, which would facilitate replacement of worn or broken parts.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 5, the present invention provides a novel ejecting unit 42 which is especially adaptable for use in ejecting celery from the conveyor. As shown, such unit includes a framework having parallel top and bottom members 61 and 58 respectively, said members being connected by side members 69 and H1 which are suitably curved. Preferably, the opening defined by the above mentioned members is covered by a padding H such as rubber or any other suitable material, this portion of the ejector being thus of concave form and adapted to engage the sides of the stalks of the individual bunches. In order to engage the leaves of the bunches, the top member 51 is extended at 12 and a plurality of spaced tines 13 are secured thereto, each of said' tines being curved in a manner similar to the curvature of the members 69 and I0. With this arrangement, and due to the fact that the ejector member 42 is so mounted as to be relatively close to the conveyor I2, as the ejector is driven transversely of the conveyor, each bunch of celery is picked up off of the conveyor and conveyed to the side thereof to be deposited in a suitable receiving receptacle. With such a construction, it is. to be noted that the celery is not slid along the conveyor by the ejector and hence'no scarring or bruising of the vegetable is effected.

As has heretofore been stated, the celery is washed in the Washing apparatus I0 prior to delivery to the conveyor I2. As will be more readily ascertainedfrom Figs. 6, 8 and 9, such washing apparatus includes a conduit having upper and lower sections 14 and 15 connected with end sections 16 and 11, the top section communicating with a water supply conduit 18. These sections are so disposed that they completely encircle the conveyor 24 and celery carried thereby. Each section above referred to is provided with a plurality of openings, certain of celery as it approaches the plane of sections 74-" while the remaining outlets are so arranged as to direct streams of water toward the celery after it passes through the plane of said Since the conveyor 24 is of open conthe streams directed toward the celery remove all of the dirt on the outside of the stalks while the stream directed toward the celery as it passes through the plane of the conduit sections is effective to dislodge any dirt which may be confined between the stalks. Thereafter, as heretofore stated, the washed celery is passed from the conveyor 24 to the conveyor l2 which moves at a higher rate of speed and hence elfects a spacing of the celery units along the length thereof. In passing from conveyor 24'to conveyor l2, any danger of leaves being caught and torn is avoided by forming the roller with a substantially reduced portion 19 intermediate its ends, see Fig. 9.

In certain instances, as for example where the water supply for washing purposes is limited, it may be desirable to conserve a portion of the water used for washing purposes. To this end, the spray conduit sections 14 to 1! are housed within a suitable housing 86 having a bottom portion 8| provided with a partition 82, the ridge of the latter extending from one side of the housing to the other and being located directly beneath the plane of the conduit sections. In this manner, the water directed toward the celery and which obviously will be quite dirty may be passed through opening 83 to the sewer while the water directed toward the celery as it leaves the washing apparatus and which is collected to the right of ridge 82, as viewed in Fig. 8, may be passed through outlet 84 to a supply tank for reuse. This water passing through 84 will be relatively clean since it serves only to dislodge loose particles of dirt between the limbs of the celery. It will be understood that suitable inlet and outlet openings 85 and 86 are provided in the housing 86 for permitting entry and exit of the celery to be washed.

In operation, the celery units are thoroughly washed as they travel through the washing apparatus H), such units being delivered to the rapidly moving conveyor |2 in substantial longitudinal alignment for travel past the sizing stations A, B and C. As a unit passes under sizing member 2'1, if such unit is sufiiciently large to engage and move said member slightly, such movement will bepromptly conveyed to valve operating member 56, Fig. 2, due to the counterclockwise movement of connected arms 30 and 33 about the pivotal mounting 3| on bracket 32. This slight movement of the valve operating lever 56, which is the initial movement thereof, will serve to move valve 41 to such position that conduit 52 is slightly uncovered by valve head 49, said conduit being thereby charged with fluid pressure while conduit 5| is slightly uncovered-by valve head 48 and hence exhausted to atmosphere. Fluid pressure conducted through conduit 52 will be led to the left-hand end of the power actuator 34, Fig. 4, in order to move the piston 36 to the right, as viewed in this figure,

and to cause the ejection of the celery or other unit which engaged and moved the sizing member 21. Initial movement of the piston 36 and ejector 42 connected thereto will, through cooperation of the inclined portion 60 and arm 6| carried by lever 30, move the sizing member 27 upwardly in order to disengage the sizing member from the unit which actuated the same. This upward movement of the sizing member 21, see Fig. 2, further operates valve element 56 and this serves merely to open wider the communication between the source of fluid pressure and conduit 52 as determined by further downward movement vofthe valve head 49.. Since it is desired to secure a full opening of valve 41 at an early point in the :stroke of the power actuator, the parts are so constructed that, prior to the time that the top portion of the inclined portion 60 engages arm 6|, the valve "41 is completely opened. At this stage, the lower edge of the free end of lever 33 moves past the free end of lever 56. However, the thickness of the free end of lever 33 is such that the latter end maintains the lever 56 in this position during continued cooperation between inclined portion 66, member 59 and arm 6| until the lever 33 .is further actuated by cooperation between cam member 62 and arm 6| as willappear below. As the ejecting unit 42 strikes the celery, the curvature of the parts forming such unit is such as to lift the celery off of the conveyor and, .upon continued movement, moves the celery to one side to be delivered into a suitable receptacle. During this continued movement, no further change in operation of valve 41 occurs until the piston 36 reaches approximately the end of its stroke. At that time, cam member 62 engages the lower part of arm 6| in order to rock the connected levers 30 and 33 a slight additional distance in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, which frees the outer end of arm 33 from the valve actuating lever 56 in order to permit the biasing spring 53 to return the valve 41 to normal position, whereupon conduit 52 is exhausted to atmosphere and conduit 5| is charged with fluid pressure. This operation eifects a return of the piston 36 to normal position, whereupon the apparatus is in condition for engagement and operationby a subsequent unit of proper size. It is to be noted that the slot 5 3 and its connection with lever 56 through link 55 is such that, as the lever 33 returns to normal position, the end thereof may engage lever 56 and move the same upwardly a sufiicient distance so that arm 33 clears lever 56 and permits the same to drop to the position shown in Fig. 1 through the action of gravity. Connected arms 33 and 30 thereupon assume their normal position for subsequent operation, with arm 33 engaging a stop 90, the member 28 being of sufiicient weight to hold the arm 33 against said stop with a relatively light pressure.

In Fig. 10, there is disclosed a modified form of sizing member I00 which is so formed that the surface thereof, which is adapted to engage a bunch of celery, diagrammatically shown at |0|, substantially conforms to the shape thereof. In this manner, side stalks or limbs I02 and I63 may engage the sizing member for actuating the same irrespective of the fact that a top limb, which would have been positioned between limbs I02 and I03, may have been broken off prior to the washing operation. Thus the bunch of celery Illl is graded properly.

There is thus provided by the present invention a novel and unusually eiiicient arrangement for washing and sizing vegetables which apparatus is particularly adapted to use in connection with celery. The arrangement of the power operated ejecting mechanism in cooperation with the associated sizing element is such that the possibility of bruising the limbs .or stalks of the celery is eliminated during the sizing and ejecting operations. This desirable feature is achieved, however, without sacrificing the function of the grading or sizing device in its action of accurately sizing various units as they are transported on the conveyor. The washing apparatus disclosed herein secures an eflicient cleaning or washing of the celery and the provision of the separation parts in the tank receiving the spent wash water enables a certain part of the wash water to be collected for reuse, such feature being especially desirable in locations where the water supply is limited.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed and described herein with considerable particularity, it is to be understood that the same is not limited to the form shown but is capable of a variety of expressions as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. For example, if desired, the pressure of engagement between the sizing members and the celery may be varied by providing suitable means for adjusting the tension of the biasing springs 53. In this manner, it may be assured that the sizing members will engage the celery stalks with suflicient pressure to closely confine the limbs thereof prior to the exertion of sufficient force by the celery on the sizing members to actuate the valves. Other variations may also be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.' Reference will, therefore, be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a celery sizing mechanism for elongated bunches of celery of various diameters, a conveyor for conveying the bunches in substantial longitudinal alignment and in spaced relation along a path of travel, movable sizing members mounted in spaced relationalong said conveyor and arranged above the latter for respective contact operation by bunches of different diameters, and a power operated ejecting mechanism associated with each of said members and adapted to be energized by operation of its associated member, each of said ejecting mechanisms including an ejector member curved in substantial conformity with the curvature of the celery bunches and having the bottom portion extending in advance of the remainder of said member, the latter including a section having a surface substantially coextensive with the unleaved portions of the bunches and a section formed of a plurality of spaced apart tines, said second section having a length substantially equal to the leaved portions of the bunches, said ejector member being movable transversely of the path of travel of the conveyor for engaging and lifting the bunches upwardly from the conveyor and ejecting them to one side thereof.

2. In a vegetable sizing mechanism for elongated units of various diameters, a conveyor for conveying the units in substantial longitudinal alignment and in spaced relation along a path of travel, movable sizing members mounted in spaced relation along said conveyor and arranged above the latter for respective contact operation by units of different diameters, and a power operated ejecting mechanism associated with each of said members and adapted to be energized by operation of its associated sizing member, each of said ejecting mechanisms including an ejector element movable transversely of the conveyor for engaging and ejecting a unit therefrom, and means operated by said ejector mechanism during ejecting movement of said element for moving its associated sizing member out of contacting relation with respect to the unit engaged thereby. 1

3. In a; sizing mechanism of the class described, a conveyor, means for feeding units to be sized to said conveyor in spaced relation, a plurality of sizing members overlying said conveyor and adapted to be respectively engaged and ance with the movement of the respective sizing members, and means actuated by said power means during operation thereof in response to movement of its associated sizing member when engaged by a unit for positively moving said member out of engagement with the unit.

4. In a sizing mechanism of the class described, a conveyor, means for feeding units to be sized to said conveyor in spaced relation, a

plurality of sizing members overlying said con-- veyor and adapted to be respectively engaged and moved by units of difierent sizes, an ejector associated with each member, separate power means for operating each ejector, means for se lectively energizing said power means in a direction to operate the'associated ejector to eject a unit transversely of said conveyor in response to movement of the respective sizing members, means operated by said power means during ejecting movement thereof to move its associated sizing member out of engagement with the unit, and means controlled by movement of the power means adjacent the end of itsejecting operation to energize the powermeans in the opposite direction for returning the power means and it associated ejector to normal position.

5. In a sizing mechanism of the class described, a conveyor, means for feeding units to be sized to saidconveyor in spaced relation, a plurality of ejecting stations positioned along the length of said conveyor for ejecting units therefrom in accordance with their height above the conveyor, each of said stations including a pivoted sizing member, an ejecting member, and a double-acting power actuator for moving said ejecting member in opposite directions, said sizing members being adjusted to engage the units at progressively decreased heights along the conveyor, means actuated by initial movement of a sizing member when engaged by a unit of proper height for energizing the associated actuator in the ejecting direction, and means actuated by initial movement of said actuator in the ejecting direction for moving the engaged sizing member out of engagement with the unit, said means being actuated adjacent the end of said ejecting movement of the actuator for energizing the latter in the opposite direction for returning the same and its associated ejecting member to normal position.

'6. An ejector for ejecting individual bunches of celery from a conveyor comprising a framework having straight parallel top and bottom members connected with side members, the last named members being curved in such manner as to substantially correspond with the curvature of the celery bunches, said members defining a substantially rectangular opening, a covering for said opening, said top member being extended in the direction of its length and beyond the opening a distance substantially equal to the length of said opening, and a plurality of tines secured to the extension and spaced along the length thereof, said tines being curved similarly to the curvature of said side members.

'7. An ejector for ejecting'individual bunches of celery from a conveyor comprising a curved section of sufiicient longitudinal extent to engage the sides of the stalks of individual bunches, and a curved section connected thereto in longitudinal alignment therewith and formed with a plurality of spaced-apart tines for engaging the leaves of individual bunches, the spaces between said tines adjacent the conveyor being unobstructed.

8. In a sizing mechanism of the class described, a conveyor, means for feeding units to be sized to said conveyor in spaced relation, a plurality of sizing members overlying said conveyor and adapted to be respectively engaged and moved by units of different sizes, an ejector associated with each member, a separate doubleacting fluid motor for operating individual ejectors, valve means for each motor for controlling the energization thereof in opposite directions, means operatively connecting said sizing members with said valve means respectively whereby movement of individual sizing members will operate the associated valve means to effect energization of the respective motors in a direction to cause ejecting movement of the associated ejectors, and means controlled by movement of any of said energized motors to operate the associated valve means to reverse the energization of the respective motor adjacent the end of the ejecting stroke thereof, whereby said motor and ejector controlled thereby are returned to normal position.

9. In a sizing mechanism of the class described, a conveyor, means for feeding units to be sized to said conveyor in spaced relation, 2. sizing member overlying said conveyor and adapted to be engaged and moved by untis of a size determined by the normal spacing between said member and conveyor, an ejecting member normally positioned at one side of the conveyor and adapted to positively move a unittransversely of and deliver the same to the other side of the conveyor, a power device for operating said ejecting member, a control element for controlling the energization of said power device in opposite directions, said control element being nor- I mally biased to a position to control energization of the power device in the direction to maintain the ejecting member in normal position, means actuated by movement of said sizing member when engaged and moved by a unit for operating the control element to a position to control energization of the power device to effect ejecting operation of said ejecting member, and means operable when the latter reaches substantially the end of its ejecting stroke for rendering said actuated means inoperative to operate the control element whereby the latter, in response to the normal bias acting thereon, controls energization of the power device to effect return movement of the ejecting member to normal position.

10. In a celery sizing mechanism of the class described, a conveyor, means for feeding units of celery to be sized to said conveyor in spaced relation, a sizing member overlying said conveyor and adapted to be engaged and moved by units of a size determined by the normal spacing between said member and conveyor, power means arranged to be energized in response to movement of said sizing member when moved by a celery unit of proper size, an ejector movable by said power means transversely of the conveyor, said ejector comprising a concave member having a length substantially equal to the length of the celery units to be sized and having its lower portion extending in advance of the remainder of the ejector and positioned substantially parallel to and closely adjacent the conveyor whereby said ejector may pick up a unit off of the conveyor and convey it to one side thereof during its ejecting movement transversely'of the conveyor, and means operable by movement of said ejector and prior to engagement between the ejector and unit for positively moving the sizing member out of engagement with the unit.

l, 11. In a sizing mechanism of the class described, a conveyor, means for feeding units to be sized to said conveyor in spaced relation, a sizing member overlying said conveyor and adapted to be engaged and moved by units of a size determined by the normal spacing between said member and conveyor, pivoted lever means having one end thereof connected to said sizing member, an ejecting member positioned at one side of said .conveyor and arranged to positively move a unit transversely of the conveyor and to deliver the unit at one side thereof, power means for operating said ejecting member, a control element for said power means arranged to be actuated by the other end of said. lever means during movement of the latter in response to movement of the sizing member, and cam means movable by the power means during ejecting movement of the latter for positively raising said sizing member out of engagement with said unit.

12. In a sizing mechanism of the class described, a support, a pair of rollers carried by said support, an endless conveyor mounted on said rollers, a rotatable power means drivably connected with one of said rollers, means for feeding units to be sized to said conveyor, a plurality of sizing members overlying said conveyor and adapted to be respectively engaged and moved by units of different sizes, an ejector associated with each member, separate power means for operating each ejector, means for selectively energizing. said separate power means in accordance with the movement of the respective sizing members, and means actuated by said power means during operation thereof in response to movement of its associated sizing member when engaged by a unit for moving said member out of engagement with thelunit.

13, In a mechanism for sizing bunches of celery of various diameters, a conveyor for conveying the bunches in substantial longitudinal alignment and in spaced relation along a path of travel, sizing and ejecting apparatus associated with said conveyor and including a substantially cylindrical sizing member movably mounted in spaced relation above said conveyor, and extending transversely thereof, said member being reduoed in size intermediate its ends and presenting a surface adapted to engage a bunch of celery and which surface substantially conforms to the shape of the latter, means controlling energization of the ejecting apparatus in response to movement of said sizing member when engaged and moved by a celery bunch of proper size, said apparatus also including an ejector member movable transversely of said conveyor together with means operated by the ejecting apparatus during the initial portion of the ejecting stroke of the ejector for positively moving the sizing member out of contact with the celery bunch to be ejected.

14. In a sizing mechanism of the class described, a conveyor adapted to convey units to be sized, a plurality of sizing members mounted above said conveyor and adapted to be respectively engaged and moved by units of diiferent sizes, an ejector associated with each member, a

separate double-acting fluid motor for operat- 76 ing individual ejectors, a valve for each motor for controlling the energization thereof in opposite directions, means associated with each valve for biasing the same to a position to energize the respective motors to maintain the ejector in inoperative position at one side of the conveyor, means connecting the sizing members and valves respectively for operating the latter in response to movement of the former to energize the respective motors for causing ejecting movement of the associated ejectors, means controlled by ejecting movement of the ejectors for moving the associated sizing member out of contact with the unit prior to engagement between the latter and ejector, and means operable adjacent the end of the ejecting stroke for rendering said connecting means inoperative Whereby the biasing means moves the valve to a position to energize the motor to effect a return of the ejector to normal position.

15. An ejector for ejecting individual bunches of celery from a conveyor comprising a concave padded section of substantially rectangular form, said section being concaved in such a manner as to substantially correspond to the curvature of the celery bunches, and a. section connected to and longitudinally aligned with the concave section and formed from a plurality of spaced parallel tines, each of said tines being curved similarly to the curvature of said concave section, the spaces between said tines adjacent the conveyor being unobstructed.

JACK CHRISTIAN. 

